SASKATCHEWAN PROCLAIMS NATIVE PRAIRIE APPRECIATION WEEK 2005

Released on June 14, 2005

Saskatchewan's Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman and Environment Minister David Forbes have jointly proclaimed June 19th to 25th as Native Prairie Appreciation Week.

The observance is intended to bring together ranchers, naturalists, hunters, educators and resource agency specialists to celebrate the diverse values of native prairie.

"Native prairie is an integral part of defining what Saskatchewan is," Wartman said. "These grasslands are a valuable grazing resource for the livestock industry and play a significant role in mitigating the effects of climate change."

"Saskatchewan's grasslands are as diverse as our people," Forbes said. "Not only are they home to many species of plants, animals and microscopic creatures, but they are themselves diverse. There are lush fescue grasslands in the beautiful Cypress Hills, rugged badland-type grasslands in southern Saskatchewan and even sand hill grasslands where many unique and rare species co-exist along with our ranchers. That co-existence demonstrates how everyone can play a role in stewardship and in supporting conservation initiatives in Saskatchewan."

According to Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) Chair Michael Burgess, who represents the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association on the board, native prairie is a unique – and one of the most endangered - ecosystems in Canada. PCAP initiated Native Prairie Appreciation Week in 1999 to raise awareness of the ecosystem and factors that threaten it.

"Only 17 per cent of the original grassland habitat remains in Saskatchewan," Burgess said. "The remaining prairie is threatened by several factors, including tillage, urban expansion, industrial activity and exotic species invasion. The reduction to native prairie is of concern to many sectors of society, including environmentalists, the ranching industry and outdoor enthusiasts."

"Undertaking activities to protect and maintain original grassland habitat is a priority for both industry and government," Wartman said.

A highlight of the week in 2005 is a workshop and field tour entitled Discovering the Great Sand Hills, to be held at Leader on June 22nd-23rd. Organized by the Society for Range Management, the event features presenters and ranch tours, and an annual native plant identification challenge.

Information and registration forms for the workshop and field tour are available from the PCAP office at (306) 352-0472 or from the PCAP website at www.pcap-sk.org.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306)787-4031

Karyn Scalise Prairie Conservation Action Plan Regina Phone: (306) 352-0472